Ghana to return to May-June WASSCE school calendar

The Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Professor Ernest Kofi Davis, has announced that Ghana will, in 2026, return to the May–June West African Senior School Certificate Examination for School Candidates (WASSCE-SC).

According to a report by graphic.com.gh on March 17, 2026, it said the country will join four other West African nations to sit the examination under a common timetable, ending five years of running a Ghana-only version.

“Yes, we are returning to the international exams, so we are writing May–June with the other West African countries,” Prof Davis emphasised.

The shift marks a return to the pre-pandemic academic calendar disrupted in 2020 by the outbreak of COVID-19.

At the time, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) postponed the exams, moving them from the usual May–June period to July–September 2020, and later August–October in 2021.

While countries such as Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia subsequently reverted to the original calendar, Ghana maintained its own schedule until now.

Ghana still writes WASSCE

Prof Davis disclosed that preparations for the transition began in 2025, with schools across the country already informed to adequately prepare candidates for the upcoming examination, which will commence with practicals and project works in April 2026.

He expressed optimism about Ghana’s performance, noting that authorities are hopeful candidates will place among the top three in the sub-region.

“That is our hope, that is our belief. We are encouraging our students to do their best to continue to keep Ghana in the limelight,” he said.

He further urged candidates to rely on their own efforts, stressing that no form of external assistance would be available.

Prof Davies, however, cautioned against examination malpractice, encouraging students to study diligently so their results reflect their true abilities.

According to him, credible results are essential for assessing the effectiveness of the country’s education system.

In March 2020, WAEC announced the suspension of WASSCE-SC following the outbreak of COVID-19.

At the time, 357,737 candidates had registered to sit the examination in April.

The council explained that the pandemic and associated safety protocols across member states significantly affected the conduct of the exams.

MRA/AE

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